SC&R Foundation Announces $21,000 to 2018 Scholarship Recipients; Awards $5,500 in Grants for February

(Centerville, VA – May 7, 2018)– The SC&R Foundation has determined the winners of its scholarship program for 2018 and its February round of grants. Nine college and university students preparing for, or advancing in, careers related to the crane, rigging, and specialized transportation industry were selected for scholarship awards, while four individuals were awarded grants. Together, scholarship winners received a total of $21,000. February grant winners were awarded a cumulative total of $5,500.

Through the SC&R Foundation’s Partners in Education program, one grant recipient received a Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau (CICB) award for a Rigger Level I course.

In addition to numerous online and in-person training courses with partner organizations ATS (Associated Training Services), ITI (Industrial Training International) and CICB, four grant rounds remain with $14,500 yet to be awarded. More than 50 seats remain in partner programs courses. The next grant award deadline is June 30, 2018.

Listed in alphabetical order, the February grant recipients are as follows:

• Corey Clarke, of D.C. Crane Service, was awarded the Heartland Communications Continuing Education Grant of $1,500. He plans to put his grant towards the Occupational Safety and Health Associate’s Degree at Columbia Southern University. He believes his degree will open many new doors and help advance his career.
• Jakob Green, of Sheckler’s Excavating, was awarded the Anderson Trucking Service Continuing Education Grant of $2,000. Jakob attends The Ohio State – Agricultural Technical Institute and plans to use his grant to help complete his Power Equipment Associates of Applied Science.
• Fay Pietrobone, of IB Dickinson & Sons, was awarded the McTyre Family Continuing Education Grant of $2,000. Fay plans to use her grant to help obtain her Associate’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health to assist her in becoming a better trainer and to help her move forward in the construction safety field.
• Victor Rodriquezwas the recipient of the CICB Continuing Education Grant. He was awarded the following course: Rigging Level 1 and Signal Person Preparatory Training. Victor says that he’s confident that with this type of training he will be able to land a job in the rigging field.

Listed in alphabetical order, this year’s SC&R Foundation scholarship recipients are as follows:.

• Jacob Bussiere is a sophomore at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, MA, earning a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering technology. Jacob plans to enter the maritime shipping industry after graduation where he can continue to foster his interest in diesel engines and gas turbines. Jacob has been awarded SC&R Foundation scholarships in the past and cites them as critical in his pursuit of higher education.
• Braxton Chong’s award will help him continue his research into modern saltwater winch design while he works towards a bachelor of science in civil engineering at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, HI. Braxton is a proud NCAA athlete and  recipient of the IUOE Continuing Education Scholarship.
• Colin Gross,  recipient of the Taylor Foundation Continuing Education Scholarship, will use his award to help cover tuition for a master of business administration degree from Oklahoma Baptist University as both he and his wife pursue higher education. Colin currently works for Northwest Crane Services of Fort Worth, TX, and hopes earning an MBA will provide him the skills to not only lead their engineering department, but also their operations division.
• Linda Martinis the corporate safety director for Bay Crane in Seabrook, NH, as well as an adjunct instructor in occupational safety. Linda’s scholarship will help fund a doctorate in safety sciences which will help her better educate Bay Crane employees, students, and the entire industry on the importance of workplace safety. She is also the recipient of the Terex Continuing Education Scholarship.
• Carter Moore suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2012 which put his plans for higher education on-hold. Since then, Carter’s employment at Valley Group, Inc. has helped put him back on track. Carter’s scholarship will help him turn his current position into a life-long career in the industry by funding a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. He is also the recipient of the Christopher Lorenz Memorial Scholarship.
• Derek Proctor is a heavy haul driver with Ralph Smith Company in Bountiful, UT, pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Weber State University. Derek works full-time while attending classes, and his scholarship will help defer the cost of tuition, allowing him to provide more for his wife and newborn son. Derek is the recipient of the White Brothers Trucking Continuing Education Scholarship.
• Brandon Robinson is a two-time recipient of a SC&R Foundation scholarship. Brandon’s award will be put towards a master of business administration degree from Kentucky’s Midway University. After graduation, Brandon aims to continue his career with Link-Belt Cranes and use his new education and qualifications to expand his role in the company. He is the recipient of the George Bragg Memorial Scholarship.
• Olivia Shears has been interested in the construction industry since childhood—which has inspired her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in construction management. Olivia is preparing to enter her freshman year at the University of Louisiana where she will explore a variety of fields in the construction and specialty rigging industry in order to find a career best suited to her skills and interests.
• Breanne Warner, recipient of the NBIS Continuing Education Scholarship, will put her scholarship toward a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering as she begins her freshmen year at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Breanne, after graduating, plans to find an enriching career in engineering that can help society move forward for the better.